Oak Creek, Wisconsin Utility Installs Longwatch
Replaces Existing System with SCADA Integrated Solution
Oak Creek is known as one of the most progressive public water suppliers in the Midwest. They were one of the first utilities to recognize the importance and actively participate in the Partnership for Safe Water program. Their efforts were rewarded when they became the first water supplier in Wisconsin to attain Phase III status from this important water security initiative.
"We have a huge public responsibility. Long before 9/11 water security was held in high regard by our commission. We pride ourselves on being proactive when it comes to securing our water supply. We have been credited with a number of firsts when applying new technologies to enhance our operation. We see the installation of Longwatch as another step in protecting and serving our customers," explained Michael Sullivan, Utility Engineer.
Application - Retrofit
The Longwatch Surveillance System was installed at a remote booster station housing a generator and a pump room. It replaced video
cameras and a digital video recorder (DVR). "We previously installed cameras and a video recorder. They worked OK, but our problem
was our inability to see what was going on as it happened. We would get an alarm, but then we had to dispatch someone to the site
to evaluate the situation and review the video on the DVR. With Longwatch we receive a video clip on our SCADA system. By reviewing
the clip we can determine what type of response is required," said Sullivan.
Video over Low Bandwidth Network
The Longwatch Surveillance System is the most cost effective solution for transmitting video from remote locations. Operating over
existing SCADA communication networks, it eliminates the need to install costly new communications infrastructure. Full motion video
can be delivered over radio, telephone, or satellite networks. "We were in the process of changing from telephone to radio. Radio is
much quicker polling stations than telephone. With Longwatch we were able to use our Freewave radios. The video that is being
transmitted is excellent," described Sullivan.
Starter Kit Option
Longwatch offers customers the ability to experience the benefits of the system thru its starter kit program. For a small investment
water suppliers can see the system installed and working at their facility before committing to a wider implementation. "Every customer
who has had the opportunity to use our system has been impressed with its performance and its ability to enhance their security. We're
confident that once a customer sees Longwatch operating at their facility, on their SCADA system, they will want to install it at all
their remote locations", explained Paul Vanslette, Vice President of Software Engineering at Longwatch.
"We wanted to see the system working at our site. We purchased a starter kit and were able to evaluate not only the systems performance, but also how it would integrate into our SCADA system. Based on the results, we are already in the process of adding additional sites, said Sullivan.
Easy to Install and Operate
Unlike commercial CCTV systems, Longwatch was specifically designed to operate on SCADA systems, utilizing existing communications networks.
"The installation of the system went really well. We had no problem integrating it into RSView. We were able to use our existing cameras,
and only needed to add intrusion detectors", explained Sullivan.
Partnership for Safe Water
The Partnership is a voluntary cooperative effort between the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, AWWA and other drinking water organizations.
The goal of the program is to provide a new measure of safety to millions of Americans by implementing prevention programs where legislation or
regulation does not exist. The program includes a detailed self analysis of data and a series of questions about the utilities engineering,
operations, maintenance, and administration. The analysis allows utilities to self identify performance limiting factors within their own
organization. The analysis is then reviewed by a committee of knowledgeable peers who generate suggestions to promote additional improvement.
For More Information
For more information on the Longwatch Surveillance System, or to find out how Longwatch can help provide faster, more efficient
and cost-effective threat deterrence, detection and response, contact:
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